|
Thursday, January 27, 2005
Serna: A prize to pay for success and popularity?
By Roger Serna
Sounds & images
Barely two weeks after the 25th anniversary of the Sinulog, the euphoria brought about by its successful staging still refuses to die. Another aspect of the Sinulog which, to quote one of those who worked hard in this year’s and in the previous years’ editions, is the awarding ceremony held a day after but it is not as extensively covered as the grand parade itself.
For those who have been attending the rites for sometime now, the awarding ceremony is where the best performances among competing contingents can be seen. They are in their winning form themselves.
One new feature in this year’s awarding rites was the showcasing of the different festivals around the province. They were performed by the dance troupes from different colleges and universities in Cebu city.
Aside from the Sinulog (the Mother of All Festivals, as many now fondly describe it), also presented were the Kabkaban of Carcar, the Mantawi of Mandaue city, the Karanza of Danao city, the Palawod of Bantayan, the Sarok of Consolacion, the Banig-banig of Badian, the Halad of Talisay city and the Sadsad of Oslob, among others.
That event somehow unofficially marked the launch of Cebu as Festival Island. An official launch is perhaps in the offing. Let’s just keep posted for announcements from the Dept. of Tourism, which is headed by Cebu’s beloved son, Sec. Joseph Ace Durano.
****
While Cebuano music lovers were basking under the success of still another successful Sinulog related activity, the 25th edition of the Cebu Popular Music Festival, Cebuana singer-actress Vina Morales (she was then the nine-year old Sharon Magdayao when her song, Paglaom, won) was hurting and crying “foul” on account of the bad publicity she received lately.
Ironically, the bad press she received was in connection with the same event that served as her launching pad to show biz stardom. She reportedly asked for P150,000 for an appearance in the songfest.
In truth, nobody contacted the talented singer-actress (who is also a good dancer herself) for a performance in the songfest. The P150,000 talent fee was quoted by Vina’s manager-father, Iking Magdayao, to a former Talisay city official for a planned show in Talisay city, something not in any way connected with the Cebu Popular Music Festival.
Magdayao reportedly added that the price he quoted then was open to negotiation. However, no follow up calls were made. That happened two years ago. Tsk-tsk!
The source of this information, who is very close to the singer-actress and her family, added that Magdayao is even currently negotiating with Father Fritz Malinao, the composer of Vina’s winning song, for a fund-raising show in San Remigio for the renovation of the church where Father Fritz is the parish priest.
Vina is said to receive just a token for her effort. The singer-actress also did the same thing for Barili two years ago. The same source hopes that Vina’s name will be cleared of the issue.
Personally, I kept mum on this issue because based on past associations with Vina, I find her to be humble and down-to-earth despite the status she has attained in show biz. I don’t even believe in another issue raised against her on her alleged refusal to acknowledge that she’s a Cebuana because everytime we meet, Vina always converses in fluent Cebuano matched with her vibrance and sense of humor we often see on television.
She also acknowledges her being a Cebuana in her shows that I have attended. A prize to pay for success and popularity? Hmm, perhaps. Whew! Sad.
****
While most, if not all of, us were so engrossed with the Sinulog festivities, up north in Danao city, the residents were also upbeat with the formal opening of the Body & Sole - Danao branch last Jan. 14.
The massage and spa, located right across the Gaisano Danao edifice and fronting Jollibee, is owned by Jaylan Zoleta as the franchisee.
Now, I can have a place to go for some pampering and relaxation when I’m in Danao. I’ll certainly look forward to that moment. Sosyal! Ha-ha!
(January 27, 2005 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
